&#34;21&#34; On the side

ABSTRACT

A method is provided for playing a card game using a deck of cards with rules to define a value of the cards in the deck, in accordance with an example. The method may include distributing a plurality of cards to a player and a dealer. A main wager may be received from the player for the plurality of cards distributed to the player and a side wager may be received from the player for the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer. The plurality of cards distributed to the dealer may be revealed when a total value of the plurality of cards distributed to the player is less than or equal to a predetermined value. The player may be rewarded for the side wager when a total of the value of the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer equals the predetermined value.

BACKGROUND

I. The Blackjack Game:

Blackjack, also known as Twenty-one (“21”) is the most widely playedcasino banking game in the world. Blackjack is a comparing card gamebetween a Player and Dealer (House) and played with one or more deck(s)of 52 cards. The Player is dealt an initial two card hand with theoption of drawing cards to bring the total value to 21 or less withoutexceeding it, so that the Dealer will lose by having a lesser hand thanthe Player or by exceeding 21 (aka Busting).

II. Basic Rules of Blackjack

The Player's object is to win money by creating card totals which willturn out to be higher than the Dealer's hand; but without exceeding 21.Before the cards are dealt the Players place their bets in a designatedarea in front of their respective place on the table.

The Dealer faces up to 7 Players and deals the cards in a clockwiserotation starting from their left most position going around twice untileach Player has two cards (the Dealer included). The Players cards areeither face up or face down depending on House rules. The Dealer willhave one card face up and one card face down (hole card). Value of thecards are :

-   -   Ace=1 or 11 (according to how the Player uses the card in their        best interest),    -   King, Queen, Jack=10,    -   10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 are valued at their natural value

On their turn, Player's must choose whether to “hit” (take a card) or“stand” (end their turn) or “double down” (double wager/typically on atotal on 10 or 11 on the first two cards/and take a single card and endturn) or “split” (if the two cards have the same value, separate them tomake two hands) or “surrender” (if offered-give up half your bet andretire from that round) based on the value of their first two cards.

If the Dealer's face up card is an Ace, then Players have the option totake “Insurance” before the Dealer checks his/her face down (hole card).This bet is handled independently of the main bet. This bet gives thePlayer an opportunity to protect their main bet. If the Dealer's facedown card (hole card) is a King, Queen, Jack or 10 the Dealer hasBlackjack and the main bet is lost. The Insurance bet typically pays2:1. If at any time the Player hits (takes a card) and the value of thecards exceeds 21 they must forfeit their cards to the Dealer at whichtime the Player's main bet is removed and the Dealer moves onto the nextPlayer.

The Dealer will resolve each Player's hands first before resolvingtheirs. The Dealer never doubles down, splits or surrenders.

Typically Dealer's draw on 16 or less, hit on all soft 17's and standson all hard 17's (again depending on House rules). If the Dealer doesnot bust, each remaining Player hand that is higher than the Dealer's,wins and the Player's hands that are lower lose. If the Dealer andPlayer hand total match then it is a “Push” and the main bet is not wonor lost.

If a Player's first two cards are a Blackjack (i.e Ace with a King,Queen, Jack or 10) the the Player wins their bet typically at 3:2(depending on House rules) except if the Dealer also has a Blackjackthen the hand is a “Push”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example picture of a 7 card “21” On The Side hand.

FIG. 2 is an example Blackjack table layout for “21” On The Side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

III. “21” On The Side

“21” On The Side is a simple, yet fun variation of the basic Blackjackgame (for both video terminal and table game) . . . with one side betoffered. The side bet involves giving the Player an opportunity to beton the Dealer's (House) hand. The side bet is:

Side Bet—The Dealer Drawing to a 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Card 21

For example:

-   -   Dealer Cards 10/6/5    -   Dealer Cards 7/9/6    -   Dealer Cards 4/6/5/6    -   Dealer Cards 8/3/4/6    -   Dealer Cards 4/8/2/2/5    -   Dealer Cards 5/7/3/A/5    -   Dealer Cards 2/3/5/2/4/5    -   Dealer Cards A/3/2/7/3/5    -   Dealer Cards 2/3/2/2/5/2/5    -   Dealer Cards 2/2/3/4/A/4/5    -   Dealer Cards 2/2/3/4/3/A/A/5    -   Dealer Cards 3/2/4/2/2/2/A/5        [Note: The Dealer hands given above are examples—there are other        potential hands that can make up 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 card 21        hands.]

Simply stated “21” On The Side offers the Player an opportunity to beton the Dealer's (House) hand—if the Dealer draws either 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8cards and they add up to 21 the Player would win.

IV. Rules for “21” On The Side

The basic rules of Blackjack still apply with these additional ninerules for the “21” On The Side bet:

1. The “21” On The Side bet has to be made at the same time the Player'smain bet is made. The Player will place the main bet and the Dealer willplace the “21 On The Side bet.

2. A Player cannot place a bet on the “21” On The Side without making amain bet

3. Once the cards are dealt the “21” On The Side bet cannot be takenback or added to, if made.

4. If a Player loses his main bet by exceeding 21 (busting) and also hasplaced a “21” On The Side bet, that bet is still alive pending theDealer resolving their hand, so long as ALL Player's do not bust out(exceed 21) in which case the Dealer does not have to play out it's handand will remove all “21” On The Side bets made.

5. If a Player draws to a 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 card 21 and the Dealer alsodraws to a 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 card 21, then the hand is a push and themain bet is not won or lost. If a Player made a “21” On The Side betthen it pays.

6. Suits (Diamonds, Hearts, Spades, Clubs) do not play a factor indetermining a “21” On The Side bet outcome(s).

7. Each “21” On The Side bet that is made plays one time only—on thespecific hand that it is being played.

8. If the Dealer is dealt a Blackjack then the “21” On The Side betloses as well, if made.

9. There is a specified betting area (that must be used) on theBlackjack table for the “21 On The Side bet. This ensures gameprotection for the House so no bets can be taken back, added to or passposted (once the cards are dealt) as the outcome of the bets happensafter the Dealer resolves their hand.

V. Differences of 5, 6, 7 or 8 Card Charlie, Super Fun 21, Magic 21 &Player's Edge 21 vs. “21” On The Side

[5, 6, 7 or 8 Card Charlie]

In 5, 6, 7 or 8 Card Charlie hands typically reference a winning handfor the Player only. Player's do not have to make a separate wager tohave that event pay them. If the Player draws 5, 6, 7 or 8 cards,without exceeding 21 they would be paid (depending on House rules) nomatter the outcome of the Dealer's hand.

A Player 5 Card Charlie happens 1 in 50 hands , 6 Card Charlie happens 1in 400 hands, 7 Card Charlie happens I in 4,600 hands. 8 Card Charliehappens 1 in 79,000 hands “21” On The Side is different in that a Playeractually bets on the Dealer's (House) hand drawing to a 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8card 21.

[SuperFun 21]

In Super Fun 21 the Player automatically wins if their hand has 6 cardsor more with a total of 20 or less and, when a Player's hand totals 21,consisting of 5 cards or more it gets paid 2:1 instantly.

Again, “21” On The Side is different in that a Player actually bets onthe Dealer's (House) hand drawing to a 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 card 21.

[21 Magic]

21 Magic is an optional proposition wager in Blackjack whereby Player'scan wager that they will achieve a point total of 21. The more cards ittakes to get to 21, the higher the payout. The Player makes one bet andit pays if either a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7+ card 21 is made.

Again, “21” On The Side is different in that a Player actually bets onthe Dealer's (House) hand drawing to a 3,4, 5,6, 7, 8 card 21.

[Player's Edge 21]

This premium table game takes Blackjack to a whole new level andshowcases more betting opportunities for the Player. The individual betthat will be compared herein is the 21 Bonuses. Player's that achieve apoint total of 21 with 3 or more cards win additional odds on their mainbet.

Again, “21” On The Side is different in that a Player actually bets onthe Dealer's (House) hand drawing to a 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 card 21.

VI. Pay Table For Winning Bets

If a Player bets the “21” On The Side bet and the Dealer does draw to a3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 card 21 then the following will be paid to the Playerdepending on what the Dealer draws:

-   -   For a Dealer 3 card 21 the Player will be paid ______:______*    -   For a Dealer 4 card 21 the Player will be paid ______:______*    -   For a Dealer 5 card 21 the Player will be paid ______:______*    -   For a Dealer 6 card 21 the Player will be paid ______:______*    -   For a Dealer 7 card 21 the Player will be paid ______:______*    -   For a Dealer 8 card 21 the Player will be paid ______:______*        * payouts to be determined

1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. A method for playing a card game using a deck of cards with rules to define a value of the cards in the deck, the method comprising: distributing a plurality of cards to a player and a dealer; receiving a main wager from the player for the plurality of cards distributed to the player; receiving a side wager from the player for the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer; revealing the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer when a total value of the plurality of cards distributed to the player is less than or equal to a predetermined value; and rewarding the player for the side wager when a total of the value of the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer equals the predetermined value.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the side wager is received when the main wager is received.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the side wager is received before revealing the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer comprises at least three cards.
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein rewarding the player for the side wager when the total value of the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer equals the predetermined value further comprises rewarding the player for the side wager when the player loses the main wager.
 8. The method of claim 3, wherein rewarding the player when the total value of the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer equals the predetermined value further comprises rewarding the player when the total of the value of plurality of cards distributed to the dealer and a total value of the plurality of cards distributed to the player both equal the predetermined value.
 9. The method of claim 3, wherein: the player comprises a plurality of players; and revealing the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer comprises revealing the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer when a total of the value of the plurality of cards distributed to at least one of the plurality of players is less than or equal to the predetermined value.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising withholding revealing the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer when the total of the value of the plurality of cards distributed to each of the plurality of players is greater than the predetermined value.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein when revealing the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer is withheld, the total of the value of plurality of cards distributed to the dealer is unknown and the side wager is lost.
 12. The method of claim 3, wherein: rewarding the player when the total of the value of plurality of cards distributed to the dealer equals the predetermined value further comprises rewarding the player when the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer comprises at least three cards; and the side wager is lost when the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer is two cards with a total value equal to the predetermined value.
 13. The method of claim 3, wherein rewarding the player when the total of the value of plurality of cards distributed to the dealer equals the predetermined value comprises rewarding the player when the side wager is won, the method further comprising: rewarding the player for the main wager when the total of the value of plurality of cards distributed to the player is less than or equal to the predetermined value and greater than the total of the value of plurality of cards distributed to the dealer.
 14. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of cards distributed to the player comprises at least three cards.
 15. A method for playing a card game using representations of cards on a video terminal, with rules to define a value of the cards, comprising: virtually distributing a plurality of cards to a player and a dealer on the video terminal; receiving a main wager from the player for the plurality of cards distributed to the player; receiving a side wager from the player for the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer; revealing the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer on the video terminal when a total value of the plurality of cards distributed to the player is less than or equal to a predetermined value; and rewarding the player for the side wager when a total of the value of plurality of cards distributed to the dealer equals the predetermined value.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising rewarding the player for the side wager based on a number of the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising rewarding the player with a different reward when the number is larger than when the number is smaller.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving the side wager when the main wager is received.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein a total number of cards distributed to the dealer is at least three.
 20. A method for playing a card game using a deck of cards, with rules to define a value of the cards in the deck, the method comprising: distributing a plurality of cards to a player and a dealer; receiving a side wager from the player for the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer; revealing the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer when a total value of the plurality of cards distributed to the player is less than or equal to a predetermined value; and rewarding the player for the side wager when a total of the value of plurality of cards distributed to the dealer equals the predetermined value.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising receiving a main wager from the player for the plurality of cards distributed to the player.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the plurality of cards distributed to the dealer comprises at least three cards. 